Method and apparatus for applying preformed bands to tire building drums



Aug. 8, 1950 R. l. KUFFLER 2,517,889

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING PREFORMED BANDS To TIRE BUILDING DRUMS Filed Feb. 26, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 v INVENTOR Roland I. Kuffler ATTORNEYS R. l. KUFFLER 25117989 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING PREFORMED BANDS T0 TIRE BUILDING DRUMS Filed Feb. 26, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z/ A j /8 F179 4 a Z5 :1 T::/,Z4

INVENTOR F1 y E Roland I. Ruffle? ATTORNEY l. KUFFLER 2,517,889 METHOD AND APPARATUS FDR APPLYING PREFDRNED BANDS To ,TIRE BUILDING DRUMS Filed Feb. 26, 1948 Aug. 8, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 |||r ||||||n|||||||||||||||||||||uunUluv ll |13. .TL

um l Ralancl I. Kuffler Y- ATTORNEYS 2 R. l. KUFFLl-:R 2,517,889 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING.` PREFORMED Aug. 8, 1950 BANDS TO TIRE BUILDING DRUMS -6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 2e, 1948 R O T N E V m r fm/S r n uhm Km L .M AW n Aug. 8, 1950 R. l. KuFFLr-:R 2,517,889

METHOD AND APPARATUS FDR APPLYING PREFoRNED BANDS To TIRE BUILDING DRuMs Filed Feb. 26, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 C 60 M [La 6 77 56 itu 4 l J 7 45 i' 'v' l .56

4 4 4Z z l 48` l F1 1E 4Z B Z6 6 45 4 77 LI d 5 45 i* C H Z F19' E INVENTOR Roland 1'. Kurf'z'er ATTORN EY Kul-'FUER 2,517,889

APPLTING PREFDRMED Aug. 8, 1950 R,v

METHOD AND APPARATUS RoR BANDS To TIRE BUILDING DRUMS Filed.v Feb. 26, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 I'NVENTOR Roland I. Kuffler www 1* 7m,

ATTORNEYSZ atenteci ug. 8, i950 5 METHOD AND APPARATUS Fon yAPPLYING. PREFORMED BANDS To TIRE BUILDING DRUMS Roland I. Kufller, Detroit, Mich., assignor 'to The General Tire and Rubber Company, Akron,

Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application February 26, 194s, serial No. 10,954

f 12 Claims.

' This invention relates to the building of pneumatic tire casings, and more particularly to a method of andjapparatus for applying preformed vbands of elastic tire material to a .tire building drum. e

It islan object lof the invention to provide a methodv by` whichwa band of tacky, uncured stock may belquickly appliedvto a tire building drum or to tire carcass bands previously applied to the drum.V l

A'further object of the invention is to provide a method of and apparatus for applying bands of elastic tire stock in a stretched condition to the drum so that the contraction of the bands causes outer plies, of .the tire casing to press radially upon uniformly adhered inner plies, and inthe case of fabric reinforced. plies to provide a uniform spacing of,v the reinforcing cords throughout the tire casing.

A further object ofthe invention is to provide apparatus for quickly and easily accomplishing the transfer of fabric bands or tread lstock bands toa tire building drum.

vWith the above and other objects in view, th invention may be saidnto comprise the device illustrated in the raccompanying drawings, hereinafter described and.'r particularly set forth in the'appended claims, together with ysuch yvariations and modiflcationsthereof as will be apparent to one skilled in'ylthe art to which the u Fig. 3 is an end view of the yexpans'ible reel by rvthe arrows at 3-3 in viewed as indicatedv Fig. 2; 4 l E Y Fig. 4 is a fragmentary horizontalsection taken on vthe line indicated at 4-4 in Fig. 2;

Fig. y5 is a'fragmentary section taken Aon the e line indicated at 5-5 in Fig. 3, showing a portion of the reel expanding cone in elevation;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken axially through the transfer cylinderas indicated by, the line` i-v-B in Fig. l;

Fig. 'l is an end elevation of the apparatus, a o

portion of the base and of the transfer cylinder carriage being broken awaylandshown in vertical section;

4Fig.l 8` isha view shcwing theactuating piston for the transfer cylinder carriage in axial section;

Fig. v9 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the band holding reel within the transfer cylinder and a band of tire material being transferred from the reel tothe cylinder; l

Fig. l0 is a fragmentary sectional View showing the transfer cylinder with a band upon its interior, in a position to transfer the band to a tire building drum;

` Fig. 1l is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 10, showing a band of tread stock in the transfer cylinder; I

Figs. 12 to 16 show the successive positions yof the 'transfer cylinder with respect to the band holding reel and tire building drum;

A Fig. l2 is a top plan view showing the transfer cylinder and reel telescoped for transfer of 'a band from the reel to thecylinder; l

Fig. 13 is a top plan view showing the transfer cylinder withdrawn from the reel afterftaking the band from the reel; 'y

Fig. 14 is a top plan View showing thev transfer cylinder moved to a position axially` alined with the'tire building drum;

Fig. l5 is a top plan view showing the transfer cylinder and drum telescoped for transfer of the band from the cylinder to the drum;

Fig. ,16 shows the transfer cylinder retracted from the tire building drum after transfer of the band of tire material to the drum; and

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic view showing the control panel and connections to the'actuating motors. l e

In transferring bands of tire material to a tire building vdrum by the, method of the vpresent invention, the preformed bands are transferred to the tire building drum A from a band holding reel'B mounted at the rear of the tire building drum by means of a movable transfer cylinder C. The reel B is an expansible band support, which as' shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, holds a band D of tire materialA to polygonal form when it is expanded against the interior of thel band.

4 Theetransfer drum C is of an internal diameter somewhat greater than that of the tirebuilding drum and of the band D that is to be transferred to the drum, so that when a band is mounted on thereel B the transfer cylinder C can be advanced to a position in which the reel B is telescoped within the cylinder C, after which the reel B may beA expanded to press the band D at spaced points against the interior of the cylindery C, whereupon rotation is imparted to the cylinder .C causing the reel B and band. D to rotatewith the cylinder. The speed of rotation is increased until centrifugal force acting upon the band is sufficient to expand the entire band into engagement with the interior of the cylinder C. After the band is so expanded the reel B is contracted to. a position. clear of the band Dand thecylinder C isv withdrawn rirom the reel to the position shown in Fig. 13. While the cylinder C is still being rotated at a speech to hold the band D against the interior thereof,`

it is moved to the position shown. in. Fig.: 14.

where it is in axial alinementwith the tirebnild ing drum. The cylinder C is then moved axially hasinternal groovessl and 32 which communicatewithpassages- 33 and 34 in the head leading to a position where the drum Agis within the cylinder and the tire building.` drum is.y rotated and brought up to a speed substantially the same.

as that of the transfer cylinder C. The speeds of rotation of the cylinder 'C` and drum A are to the inner'and'outer ends of the cylinder i9, Pipes 35 and 36 are connected to the grooves 3| and 32+A and flow through the pipes 35 and 36 is then simultaneously reduced until the centrifugalforce acting upon the band is insucient to hold it against the interior of. the drum: C. and its elasticity causes. it tosnap4 inwardly into tight engagement with. the drum. A, after. which the transfer cylinder C isretracted from the,drum.. A and returned to its originaLposition.

The tire building, drum-.A is supportedby a suitable standard lmounted upon, anelongated base 2. that.extends-.forwardly beneath the, drum A, a suitable driving motor 3 being provided for driving the drum. A, which may be a conventionaly collapsible. tire buildingk drum.

The base 2 has a laterally extending portion 4. that provides` a basefor a. standard 5 having ahousing E, at.the.top thereof. which is providedY with a tubular bearingportion T that projects laterally in a direction parallel with the axis of 5 the drum A. A tubular. shaft 8'. is mounted.. in the bearing portion] and .carries a reel. support Sfatits inner end. whiclrmay, be. formed. integrally with the shaft.v The reel supportvhas a hollow hub portion ID and radiallydisposed.guidechannels- I l.- outwardly oi?.4 the hubportion. The Ashaft 8--is-preferalolyy journaled. in suitable antiriction thrust bearings that serve, to. holdit. against axial movements.. bearingY I.2.is clampedhetween a-shoulder laat. the outei` endof the reelsupport 9 andan inyternal ribI M. in. the'tubulan bearing.;4 portion 1 of. theY housing; An. outer. bearing, i5.` for `the shaft 8 is clampedbetween4 anv internal rib I of; the. tubular bearing portionI Landa threaded :f-

ybrake ringy a uidpressure. cylinder I.9 that is axially alinedwith the.-shaft. The cylinder I S. hasv a. piston.l 2D. provided. with` a. piston-, vrod 2l. that is. attachedV at its. inner.. end toY an inner shaft. 22. slidably. fitting.` in the tubular shaft..8 and connected thereto..

Theinner. endofthe shaft.2,2 extends beyond thetubular shaft and. has yan expander cone 2.3.- attachedthereto. 'Ihe cone 2 3. hasaxiallyextending undercut. ways formed on itsexterior face that .receive radially disposed spokes 25, that. are. sl'idabl'y. mounted in the radial guide.I channels II of, the. reelsupport andi that carry` band engaging bars..2'.at their` outer ends. Each. bar. Z6 is attached. substantially. midway between its` ends to. aspoke. and.all..of.the;.bars..are parallel to the central'supportingshaft 8.

The radial spokesA 2,5V have inner portions 2.1,. formed to fit in the undercut ways Zilf'of the expander cone, so that the spokes. 25 aresinul; taneously moved' radially outwardly. wher'iftlfiev cone 23: is movedinwardl'yand are simultaneous'- controlled.byl aisuitable valve 3l which in one position applies pressure to the outer side of the 'piston'll'toexpzmdthe reel B, and in another position applies pressure to the inner side of the piston 20 to contract the reel, one of the pipes and beingconnected toa source` oi pressure andthe other to, theatmospliere i'n each positionof the .valve 3T,so. that'. fluid under pressure is permittedt'o escape, from one side. ofthe piston whilepressure i's being supplied tdthe. opposite side thereof.

When the transfer cylinder ismovedto. aposition in whichitliereel' B'Lisitelesc'oped within it, the valve 3 Tis actuatedtoupermit sufficient fluid. under pressure in tl'e'cylinder I9 to expandlthe reel B against the` interior. of thev cylinder C. Ajfter the reeTB has, been expanded. suiiciently to clamp theland Dof' tire. building material against the. interior. of. the. cylinder C,. rotation is imparted' to the cylinder C andthe reel B,

As herein shown. an inner 1s disengaged from the cylinder, an` externalv which is free to rotatein the bearings IZ'and l5, turns with the cylinder C.' After suicient speed. has been attained' tdlold the band' D tightly againstth'e interior of the cylinder C,.the. valve 3l is actuated to contracttliereelB', afterwhich to retracted' position and thento a; position.

alined with the drum.A.'4

In order. to stop rotation. ofthe reel Batter it brake memberv 38T iis, provided for. engagement with the brake. ringA I8.. The brakemember 3B. may be' inthe form of.' an .endless inflatable tube. attachjedto aring 35"'tliat` is. securedto the .housmember 1. The inflatable brake..member 38 1s normally of anA internal diameter. slightly greater than' the.ext`ernal diameter of thebrake member i8` so yas to permit free rotationofrthe. reel B. A conduit 40.. isconnected to the brake member 33"'to`deliver fluid '.und'er. pressurethere-f to, the conduit MLloeing.,controlledI by a suitable valve 4l which in one position. admits fluid. to. the brakevv member, and'inanother positionexhausts, fluid from the4 brake member,

vAt the end of the base Z beyondtl'rev free. end of the drum A, a transverse base member 42A. is mounted, which. extends. at. rightangles 'toA the axis of the.drum A; A. carriage 43. ismounted for movement longitudinally otthezbaserZ which is provided witha carriage guideway which in.- cludes beveled. guide.- liars.` 44. whichmay be ad.- justed laterally by meansofscrews 45. The carriage 43. has a cylinder 4.5' attached. tothe `:bot-- tom thereof, the cylinder 45` being paralleltocthe way7 which. guides` the.. carriage. 43"and:at right angles. totheaxis of.- the drumA. The cylinder All has a pistonlwhichi's attachedto. a .tubular` piston' rod 48 which is rigidly attached to-a-.lug. 49 at the forward end of. the. base.42.

Within the"tubu1a1" piston ro'cl 48' there is mounted a Small tube fwhich is attchdtQ-the piston `4l and..-provi.desff a passage ff centrally through the tubular rod-,48 through thev piston to the interior ofthe cylinder atthe rear of the 'thle transfer less than the-diameter of the member 14 so that e it is normally free from the inner brake memberl 1l|,\v but which is expanded inwardlyupon vinflattion .into engagement with the brake member 14, suitable means such as a pipe 80 being provided for delivering fiuid under pressure to the brake member 1 8. The brake member 'I8 is attached the; transfer cylinder. C is axiallyalined with the e meer. is axiauy annee with the -drum;gA limit st opsbeing provided forfpositioning the carriagel in thextw opositions. To vposition the carriage with the .transfer cylinderalined with the drum A, anadjustablestop collar 54; isprovidedpnthe piston rod 48 .which is engaged by thehead of the cylinder 46 t0 limitv gthe.. forward movement of the -carriage. 43.. A suitable adjustable stop such as a screw 55 is provided at the rear end movement bottom of the slide y5t meren attached a eyi-y f inder 5|? which is horizontallyr disposed parallel to the axis ofthe'drurn Av and reel B. A: The cyl-` inder 5B has a piston 5 9 vwhich is attached to a tubular piston rod 60 that isrigidly attached `toa lug 5| onlthe outer end of the base portion of the carriage .43-- A small .tube 62 is mounted within the piston rod 68 and establishes communication between a v pressure supply pipe 63 through the piston 59 and Jthe inner endof the cylinder 58. The tube 62' is of an external diameter. less than the internal. diameter of `the tubular piston rod 66,-; providingf-an outer passage whichv receives fluid underpressure from a pipe 6 4 and which delivers-.into the interior of the cylinder 58 outwardly vof thepiston 59.y -Pressure admittedzthrough the. pipe- 63 moves the slide 56 inwardly toward the reel or drum, and pressure admitted through the pipe 64 retracts the slide.

Thetransfer cylinder C is attachedto a hori-l zontalshaft 65 whichis .journaled rin a housing 66 carried bythe slide 56.: The shaft 65 has'an enlarged inner end 61 to which a cylindercarrying-head` 68 is attached. The shaft 65 is journaled in .the housingv 66 insuitable thrust bearings which hold the shaft against endwise movements. As herein shown,v theinner bearing 69 for the shaft isa ball thrustbearing clamped between the enlarged portion Blof the shaft 65 and an internal rib y'Hl carried-by the housing 66. An outer ball thrust bearing `'ll is. clamped between an internal rib 'l2 carried by the housing and a threaded-collar '13 carried by the shaft 65. Exteriorly of the bearing 1| an lexternally cylindrical brake member 14 is keyed lto the shaft 65 and outwardly yof the brake member a .pulley 15 is keyed to the'yshaft. The shaft 65 .is driven through a belt 16 running over the pulley '|5 by an electric motor 11. A suitable lbrake member .is provided for engagement witntliebreke mem 'spring' 84;

' by suitable means to the housing 66, the attaching'means as herein shown being a band 19 en-g circling the inflatable brake member 'i8 and se-r cured to the housing 66. The inner end of the shaft 65 is tubular to provide a socket 8| in which is mounted a cushioning cylinder 82. The cylinder 62 is open at its inner endand receives a plunger 83 that is backed by fa The cylinder 82 is attached to the shaft 65to rotate therewith, and the plunger 83 is constrained to rotate with the cylinder and shaft by means of rods 85 attached to the plunger and slidable in an opening in the inner closed end of the cylinder 8 2. The inner end of the plunger 83 is yprovided with a bearing socket 86 4that -is adapted to receive the outer end of the shaftB'l of the drum A to steady the drum during the transfer of the bands of tire material thereto. The cylinder C with its head 68 is readily detachable from the shaft 65 so that it may be .re. placed with a cylinder` of larger or smaller diameter when desired. The cylinder C is adapted to transfer fabric reinforced carcass bands, and also an endless band of tread stock. In order to enable the cylinder to be used to transfer both the tread stock and the rubberized fabric bands, the cylinder is provided with a pair of substantiallyidentical adapter bands 88 and 89 mounted upon the interior thereof. The bands 88 and 89 are interiorly cylindrical and of a length less than -half .the length ofthe cylinder C. Eacheof the bands of alength such that the space between the vflanges 9| provides a centrally disposed peripheral recess within the drum to receive the thickened tread portion of a tread band. e

An inner removable band 92 of cylindrcaliform ts within the bands 88 and 89 and covers the tread receiving recess. When the drum C is used for transferring the rubberized fabric bands, the band 92 is employed to cover the tread receiving recess. vThe band 92 is readily removable so that when it is desired to apply the tread band the central recess is provided for the thickenedA tread portion. l 1A In operation of the machine, a preformed band D is placed upon the reel B which is expanded enough to take up the slackin the band and hold it in polygonal form in position to permit the transfer `cylinder' C to be moved over the reel and band to position'the band withinA the transfer cylinder. After the reel B has been telescoped into the cylinder C, 'the reel is expanded further to clamp the fabric band D between the bars 26 and the interior of the cyl-1 inder C; Thecylinder C is then rotated ,and its Speed et .irritaties generally iesreeseduniil the htr'fi-lgal irc'e`l acting upon* thebandf LD'is su'il-l cient' to-fpressthe band ltightly against -tlierinteriorJ othefcylinder C; lllhe reei Biis-sthene contracteditoV freeit' from theband andthe-icylinder C"is retracted by means-oi thefcylin'derv58= tera position olea-r off the reel. Thecarri'a-ge-fi is thenmoved by means 'off thezcylinder Airtoi-move the transfer cylinder-1C toaI position inlaxiafl alinement' Withr'tlie tire building drum f 'Pressure is admitted to= the cylinder5`81 toshiiit the carriage-V 56 toward the tirebuilding-@drum untii'tl'iershaft 3W o`i-tliej drum vis engagedinfthe socket il'iofl the cylinder supporting shai'ftl' 'Ilie motor 3 is then operated to-rotatethetirea-'builii ing drum and the speed of rotation of'the drum is-'gradually increased until it isa-substantially the sameas fthat of the cylinder 'C2 after- Which the speeds'oi rota-tionof the cylinder C and drum A are" simultaneously reduced" until the centrifugaly forcefactingfupon the band Doi tire building rnaf tcri'al is insufcientto overcome thel contractile force acting uponthe band due to its elasticity and stretch, whereupon the band will snapout of engagement with the transfer cylinder C and into-engagementwith theexterior of the'drum A, a'ftenwhich the transfer cylinder()1 is-'retracted and moved to-itsrearmost position,

Themotors 31 and 'Il' are preferably so Wound that'tl'ie speed of rotation of either Will be decreased upon an increase in load, so that the speeds of the drumand cylinder Will-be' readily equalizedii'the band should enga-gc the drum before it'v is entirely freed from the cylinder should thedrum and cylinder 'be rotating at slightly different speeds. essential-that the speedsoi the drum and cyli'n der be'keptexactly the same While their speeds a-rebeing reduced.

After' the desired forming ope-rations have been performedy on'the first band applied'tothe drum,

the controller S3 servingto control the operation ofthemotor 3 and vary the speed thereof" while' the" controller 911 similarly 'controls the inotorA '11. In'ord'er to enablel the operator to properly control the speeds of rotationofthe'transiercylinder/and the tilre building drum, suitabletachonieters 95 and SI5-may be provided adjacent the controllers 5% and 'Mito showv the speeds of rotationor' the transfer cylinder and the tire building drum.

`For controling the movements oithe carriage and slide '55 for shifting the transferl cylinderto its. Various positions, suitable 'four-way valves 93? and 98 may be provided forcontrolflin'g Ythe flow through the pipes 52 and 53 to and from thecylin der 46, and through the pipesy 53 and'fl" to and from the cylinder llt is to' be understood that variations andmodifications ofv the specific devices 'herein shown and described vfor purposes of illustration, may A'be made Without departing from the spirit off the invention.

- WhatI claimis:

l. The herein described method -of applying bands of elastic material toA tiref'huilding drum which. comprises forming an 'endless bandoi seid material, expandingfsaid' band'lagainst the It is, therefore, not

maar,iur-cnalneemcylindery of a circumference greater than that". off-f the bandi andi y'greater f than tliatrof'saidF-fdiuni, rotatingr said cylinder 'and bandto'apply-1centriiugallA forceX 'tosaid band to holf'zlfitagainstv tl'ieinterior of the cylinder, positioning the tiregbuilding drumvWithin the cylinder'- and? expandedfbandl, and `decelerating the cylinder to relieve the'centriiugal force acting onthe band'fandlfcausetheband tocontract upon thetire-building drum.

'2 The herein described method of applying bandsr of elasticm'aterial to a tire lbuilding drum which comprises forming an endless band of said material, expanding saidbandagainst the interior of a hollow cylinder Ioit-s; circumference greater than that-*ofthe-bandandf greater than that of salti ,drum', rotating rsaid cylinder4 and band toapply centrifugal-'forceto said band to hold it against the interior offthecylinder; positioning the-tire-'building drum within the cylinder' and expanded band', 'rotating' the drumat substantially the same vspeed' asv the cylinder, and simultaneously decelerating the cylinder and drum'- to 'transferV the band from'the cylinder to the drum.

3. The hereindescribed method of v'applying bands ofelastic tire forming; material to a tire building drum whiclr' comprises forminga-n endless band oi said'materia-l; inserting said band into a hollow cylinder having an vinternal rcircumference greaterthan the circumference of the tire building drum andgreater than the circumference orY the ban'd and pressing circumferentiaily space'diportionsof the band radially outwardly' 4against* the interior of saidz cylinder; rotatingfsaid@cylinder' and band to' apply centrifugal 'force tasa-idfbandftoexpandf the'same against the interior oi the-cylinder, positioning of the tirefbuilding drum `Within the-'cylinder and eX*- pand'ed band while'tlie band is heldby centrifugal fforce'againstfthe interior or thefc-ylinder, and decelerating said cylinder to Yrelieve the centrifugal force-acting upon the 'band' a-nd allowthe band to contract' upon the tirebuilding drum.

4. The Lherein described method of applying bands of`=elastic tire forming material to atire build-ing* drumw'h-icli comprisesA forming an end'- less bandy of saidfimaterial inserting said5 band into a ll'ollcnt` cylinder having a-nv internal circumfer'ence fgrea-tertha-n 'the' circumference Yof the-tire buldingidifumf'and 'greater than the circumference of the band-and pressing circumferentiially-spacedi portions loitlfie lband radiallyV outwardly against'the interior of saiclcylinder,` rotating-"said ycylinder and band to' apply centrifugal-'force'tolsaidlband to 'expand the same-*against the-interior oftlfiei cylinder, positioning the tire building drum-Within `the cylinder andi expanded band While llhefband islheld by centrifugal?A force againsttlieiiriteriorofithe cylinder, rotating said drum .at substantialiythe same speed as Athe cylinder', and simultaneously deceleratilng the drum and cylinder to `transfer the band from the cyl'- inder-toftne-drum 5. Apparatus for? placing preformed bands of elasticl ltire buildinglmaterial on- 'a tirebuilding drum comprising a transferA 'cylinderoi greater diameter thari'theldrulr'n and' having anl open end to receive'the means for placing a band within said v'cylinder ifi-*engagement the interior surface thcreofymeans for rotating said cylinder to hold the band byY centrifugal force against the interior 'of the' cylinder, rand means for positioning the@ Within the cylinder 4itc; receivetherbamdu' i' ff anges@ for rotating the cylinder to hold the band against the interior thereof by centrifugal force, and means for positioning the drum within the cylinder to receive the band.

7. Apparatus for placing preformed bands of elastic tire building material on a tire building drum comprising a transfer cylinder of greater diameter than the drum and having an open end to receive the drum, a rotatable band holder having radially movable band supporting members engaging the interior of the band, means for positioning said band and band supporting members within said cylinder and for actuating said members to expand said band into engagement with the interior of the cylinder, means for rotating the cylinder to hold the band against the interior thereof by centrifugal force, and means for positioning the drum within the cylinder to receive the band.

8. Apparatus for placing preformed bands of elastic tire building material on a tire building drum comprising a rotatably mounted band holder having radially movable members engageable with the interior of the band, a transfer cylinder of greater diameter than said drum and movable from a position axially alined with said holder to a position axially alined With said drum, means for 'imparting relative axial movements to the cylinder and holder and to the cylinder and drum to telescope the holder and cylinder and the drum and cylinder, means for actuating said radially movable members to press the band against the interior of the cylinder, and means to rotate said cylinder to hold said band against the interior thereof by centrifugal force.

9. Apparatus for placing preformed bands of elastic tire building material on a tire building drum comprising a rotatably mounted band holder having radially movable members engageable with the interior of the band, a movable transfer cylinder of greater diameter than the drum, means for alining said cylinder axially with said holder and for telescoping said holder and cylinder, means for alining said cylinder axially with said drum and for telescoping said drum and cylinder, means for actuating said radially movablel members to press the band against the interior of the cylinder, and means for rotating the cylinder to hold the band against the interior thereof by centrifugal force.

10. Tire building apparatus comprising two stationary supports positioned side by side and having parallel shafts journaled therein and projecting laterally in the same direction therefrom, a tire building drum mounted on one of said shafts, a band holder mounted on the other of said shafts and comprising a series of angularly spaced radially movable members having band engaging bars at their outer ends that are disposed parallel to the band holder shaft, a carriage mounted for movement transverse to said shafts adjacent their free ends, a transfer cylinder mounted on said carriage for successive axial alinement with said shafts, said cylinder being mountedfor axial movement and being of a diameter to receive either said holder or said drum, means for actuating said radially movable members to expand the` band into engagement with said cylinder, and means for rotating said cylinder to hold a band by centrifugal force against the interior thereof.

11. Tire building apparatus comprising two stationary supports'positioned side by side and having parallel shafts journaled therein and projecting laterally in the same direction therefrom, a tire building drum mounted on one of said shafts, a band holder mounted on the other of said shafts and comprising a series of angularly spaced radially movable members having band engaging bars at their outer ends that are disposed parallel to the band holder shaft, acarriage mounted for movement transverse to said shafts adjacent their free ends, a, transfer cylinder mounted on said carriage for successive axial alinement with said shafts, said cylinder being mounted for axial movement and being of a diameter to receive either said holder or said drum, fluid pressure operated means for shifting said carriage, for shifting said cylinder axially and for actuating said radially movable members, and means for driving said cylinder to hold a band by centrifugal force against the interior thereof.

12. Apparatus forplacing preformed bands of elastic tire forming material on a tire building drum comprising a rotatable transfer cylinder having an open end to receive a tire building drum, said cylinder having a central circumferential recess upon the interior thereof to receive a tread band, and a removable cylindrical cover for said recess fitting within said cylinder.

ROLAND I. KUFFLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following referencesare of record ln the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,455,250 Midgley May 15, 1923 1,499,679 Midgley July 1, 1924 1,757,750 Stevens May 6, 1930 1,762,146 Abbott June 10, 1930 1,762,824 Lehman June 10, 1930 1,789,858 Backdahl Jan. 20, 1931 1,921,594 Thompson Aug. 8, 1933 2,028,695 Stevens Jan. 21, 1936 

